James returned home after being released from TRB while his face was still wounded from the fight with Adrian.
His lip was split. His cheek was swollen. Bruises spread across his jaw and around his eye where Adrian's fire-charged punches had landed. His shoulder throbbed beneath his shirt where the burn had been treated but not healed.
When he opened the door, he heard the television playing in the living room.
The news anchor was talking about a public fight between two Awakeners in Dublin while footage of damaged cars and burned pavement played across the screen. The report mentioned a Ganner heir and a Necromancer, but avoided using full names because TRB had not released an official statement yet.
James's mother sat on the couch facing the television while her back was turned toward the door.
